{% include "includes/auth/janrain/signIn_traditional.html" with message='It looks like you are already verified. If you still have trouble signing in, you probably need a new confirmation link email.' %}

Miami Dolphins Talking Points: Beware the opening drive

Coach Tony Sparano is famous for deferring when he wins coin flips. Green Bay has built a reputation for successful opening drives this year. That’s something Sparano should think about Sunday, which is where we start our Thursday morning talking points:

1. Sparano might reconsider his penchant for deferring if he wins the coin flip this week.

The thinking, Sparano has said in the past, is that he’d rather have his team get the ball in the second half, perhaps giving them one extra drive with the game on the line. While that’s fine under most circumstances, a look at the Packers’ success on their first drive begs another look at that strategy.

Aaron Rodgers hit Donald Driver with a 29-yard TD pass to cap the Packers’ opening drive against Washington, marking the second time in four games they scored a touchdown. Their 17 points on opening drives this year ranks second in the NFL behind New Orleans, which has 21. Last year, Green Bay ranked sixth with 37 points on opening drives.

The idea, coach Mike McCarthy said, is simple: “Anytime we have a chance to get the football we have an opportunity to score. We want to get as many as possible. When you play a team that slows the game down and tries to limit your series, it’s important to get the football and try to get out there in front.”

If there’s ever a game when it would be wise not to miss the opening kickoff, this might be it.

2. It’s time for the Dolphins’ to improve their giveaway/takeaway ratio.

For a team that prides itself on taking care of the ball, the Dolphins haven’t been doing a very good job of lately. Miami stands at minus-3 on the season, tied for 24th with Jacksonville and Arizona. Even worse, they were minus-5 in the losses to the Jets and New England, throwing one interception against New York and four against the Patriots while not forcing any turnovers.

On the season, the Dolphins have forced four turnovers (three interceptions, one fumble) while committing seven (five interceptions, two fumbles).

Going on the road against another NFC North opponent might be the secret. Last time that happened, the Dolphins intercepted Brett Favre twice and forced and recovered a Favre fumble in the end zone, plays that loomed huge in Miami’s 14-10 victory.

3. Isn’t there a part of you that wants to see Aaron Rodgers play?

Yes, it certainly would help the Dolphins’ chances if Rodgers is ruled out with a concussion. On the other hand, this is one of the best quarterbacks in the game, with a couple of premier receivers in Greg Jennings and Donald Driver, both of whom had more than 1,000 receiving yards. Aren’t you curious to see how the Dolphin defense can fare against him?

If Miami does beat Green Bay without Rodgers, it doesn’t really prove much. It doesn’t mean the Dolphins will take care of Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and Baltimore the next three weeks or put themselves in position to make the playoffs. At least not yet.

The Packers are a team Dolphin fans typically see only every four years. Might as well see them at their best – or as close to that as they’ll be in their already banged-up capacity.